The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-06-25
The great central idea of the gospel


ing of Infinite love. ''God so loved the
world that he sent his Son-not to con-
denim it, but that the world through
him" land by means of him. as the ap-
pointed channel of his communication,
''might be saved" And Christ so loved
the world, that he gave himself for it,
went freely to suffering and to death
that he might redeem it to virtue and
happiness. Surely, no devotedness to
mans good was ever found like this Of
the Saviour's. In it was fulfilled the
mission of Christ, and contaminated
the mighty work which he came to per-
form; ministry Of reconciliation by
sacrifice that endured to the end. 1t
was in this spirit that he lived and died.
The paramount law of his being was
loving and self -forgetful service. He
in truth kept back nothing. His offer
ing and sacrifice was complete, COM
plete self-surrender, being nothing short
of himself, his heart and mind, and soul
and strength. The keynote of his adj
vent was ''Lo, come to do thy will,
OGod." 1t was his s'meat and his drink,
not to do his own will, but the will Of
the Father who had sent him." We
know how, that ''for our sakes he be-
came poor that we might become rich"
In that perfect sacrifice of Christ,
there in Judea, in being at SO much
pains, devoting himself SO unselfshly
to the good of others, suffering no wear
mess to relax his energies, we see the
fulfillment, or accomplishment of his
complete offering, in which nothing is
withheld, but all is made sacred to the
service of God and humanity. And
when, therefore, speak of Christ's sac
rifce, 1 speak of his labors upon the
earth, and his entire services among
men. 1 speak Of his mission, his suf-
ferings, his crucilixion and death. 1
speak Of his giving himself away his
Offering himself to God; his dedicating
and consecrating himself to the divine
service. And is not this the way the
Scriptures speak Of it !: "Who hath
given himself for US, an offering and a
sacrifice to God" "Who through the
Eternal spirit offered himself without
spot to God"
AS Oberlin, Clarkson, Wilberforce,
Lovejoy, Florence Nightingale, Mary
Stafford, gave themselves, somewhat
sel6shly it may be, as Illustrations of
this great principle; as John Howard
gave himself, his time, his talents, his
personal attention, his wealth, his
health, his life, to the labor of cleans
ing the prisons of Europe, and throwing
open their damp, dark recesses to some
of the cheering light and genial warmth
of the outer world, SO did Jesus give
himself, his all and his everything. He
poured out his spirit, his very being,
the light, the life, the love, the warmth,
the quickening energies and influences
of bis soul for the benefit of the world.
He did it unselfishly. Here am, all
that have, all that 1 am, give myself
away. Take me, Father, use me. 1t is
all that can do.
It is this that is the true glory Of
Christianity, as it is of the cross; the
love and self-sacrifice Of Christ for
mans sake; the sacrifice of all self
will to Gods holy law; the complete
dedication of one's-self, all that he has,
and all that he is, to God and to duty.
This perfect self-surrender, and thor
ough devotion of every feeling and fac
ulty to the highest and best this CIV
ing ones self up to the service Of God,
and truth, and righteousness, is the
summit of religious effort, the crown.
ing result of religious aspiration. 1t is
the foundation principle on which 1 be-
lieve individuals and communities, and
Christian denominations must build, or
they fail to build on any sure founda-
ton. 1t is giving what we have to
give, what we can give, money, prop
erty, strength, learning, deeds, thoughts,
prayers, tears, love, all that we have
and are, offering them as living sacri-
flee upon the altar of God, and to hui
manity's welfare. This be it known,
is sacrifice; the free offering of what
one has, and is, to principle, to that
which is more than ones. self, more
than everything else beside. But how
little, indeed, is there of it in this sunk
en- and sorrowful world I? Who says,
81 will consecrate myself to the good
of my fellow men. 1 will neglect my
own interests, that / may better serve
others. 1 will give my mind, and heart,
and strength, give my days and nights,
give time and talents, and labor and
means, give luxuries, comforts, enjoy
ments, necessaries, give all, and give
everything for truth, and for duty, for
God and his cause of righteousness, and
true holiness in the earth"
A young man setting out in life, and
choosing his profession or calling, does
he ask, 'How he shall best make him
self seIviceable to the world ? Or is it
rather how he can get the most ease
and honors out of the world, returning
the least of toll and self-denial.